Untitled Document

A non-profit, tax-exempt wartime veterans association

COULD IT BE PARTLY YOUR FAULT THAT A WAR,
ANY WAR, IS CALLED "A FORGOTTEN WAR

"No Way JOSE' .. Not me!"

Well, think about it for a minute ... before all of the media splash of Korea's recent 50th anniversary, how long has it been since you had a serious discussion with someone much younger than yourself ... like your children or grandchildren, to explain to them just what you did in, and still remember about your war.. any War. They can't learn about horrors of wars in their schools ... they're lucky to find even a short paragraph in the history books; their teachers didnn't learn anything about war because their college profs were so adamant against publicizing the heroics of any war.

It just happens that I'm drafting this Status Report on Korea's 50th Anniversary, Sunday June 25, and local papers and TV news media are all highlighting that forgotten war today ... I've yet to hear any of the media offer any kind of "we're sorry" for not having previously told the public of the sacrifices of so many of our close friends who were killed many years ago in WW-II, Korea and Vietnam (And, I hope I'm wrong, but I'll bet the Korean War will have slipped again into the long-forgotten mode by the time you read this! )

"But" you say, "Why blame me .. what can I do about refreshing those memories?"

For one thing, you might rustle around in those old shoe boxes in the attic, and see if you can't find some of those letters your mother, wife or girl friend had faithfully saved while you were in the service. They contain a wealth of first-hand personal experiences to trigger your memory cells ... if you can find those tattered remnants so lovingly saved for your return.

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"SENIORS MUST LEARN TO SACRIFICE..."

I was embarrassed to read that President Clinton and his advisors have said, "The older generation must learn to sacrifice as other generations have done"

That's my generation. I knew eventually someone would ferret out the dirty secret: we've lived the "lifestyle of the rich and famous" all our lives.

Now, I know I must bare the truth about my generation and let the country condemn us for our selfishness.

During the Depression we had an hilarious time dancing to the tune of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?"

We could choose to dine at any of the country's fabulous soup kitchens, often joined by our parents and siblings... those were the heady days of carefree self-indulgence.

Then, with World War II, the cup filled to overflowing. We had the chance to bask on the exotic beaches of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa; to see the capitols of Europe and travel to such scenic spots as Bastogne, Malmedy Monte Cassino and fly over picturesque Himalayan mountains into China.

Of course, one of the most exhilarating adventures was the stroll from Bataan to the local Japanese hotels, laughingly known as death camps.

But the good times really rolled for those lucky enough to be on the beaches of Normandy for the swimming and boating that pleasant June day in '44. Unforgettable.

Even luckier were those that drew the prized holiday tickets for cruises on sleek, gray ships to fun filled spots like Midway, The Solomons, Murmansk and Inchon.

Instead of asking, "what can we do for our country", an indulgent government let us fritter away our youth wandering idly through the lush and lovely jungles of Burma or New Guinea, and snowy mountains of Korea.

Yes, it's all true: we were pampered, we were spoiled rotten, we never did realize what sacrifice meant. We envy you, Mr. Clinton, the harsh lessons you learned in London, Moscow and Little Rock.

My generation is old, Mr. President.. and guilty; but we are repentant. Punish us for our failings, sir, that we may learn from you the true meaning of Duty, Honor, and Country.

[... And we really do like to vote, regularly ! ]

Anonymous via e-mail